In the Name of People (2017)

You know there's a lot of people in the cast when one poster can't even fit everyone's faces. The media arm of China's top investigative agency joins hands with Hunan TV and a number of production companies to introduce In the Name of People 人民的名义, a 55-episode Chinese drama that brings to life a realistic depiction of corruption in today's modern society.

It has been thirteen years since the genre has been explored in China much less one of this caliber that is willing to go deep within the higher echelons of power, what's particularly interesting is that it's actually a government sanctioned project.

Lu Yi (Legend of Qin) headlines at the forefront of the fight and he is surrounded by an esteemed ensemble of acting heavyweights that include Zhang Feng Yi, Wu Gang, Xu Ya Jun, Zhang Zhi Jian, Hu Jing, etc. The idea sounds interesting on paper especially in the context of a country with a rather unique political landscape.

The series shot to 1st place during its premiere though it could also be attributed to a nice lead in from the recently ended Because of Meeting You. I watched the first episode out of curiosity but what ensued was a very cut and dry portrayal that begins with a man under investigation for bribery. The story is bound to lead to a bigger conspiracy given that every other character is a political person of interest but as a person who tends to appreciate slick action scenes over serious prose, I mostly likely won't last long enough to find out what happens next. I barely got through the first episode as it is.